Events from the 14th to the 16th Century

Renaissance

Period: Jan 1, 1345 to Jan 1, 1600

Bubonic Plague

Jan 1, 1347

The bubonic plague begins, a flea-borne infection whiping out a third of europes large population.

Renaissance begins

Jan 1, 1350

A cultural movement that spanned the period roughly from the 14th to the 16th century, based on art and culture and moved away from religion.

Brunelleschi creates linear perspective

Jan 1, 1413

Discovered linear perspective while accomplishing the most stunning dome to crown the cathedral in Florence

Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans

Oct 12, 1429

Took place during the hundred year war, Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) led the french to several important battles

Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press

Jan 1, 1439

With replaceable/ movable wodden or metal letters in 1436 ( completed by 1440)

Cosimo de Medici dies

Aug 1, 1464

Eldest son of the Medici family, carried on the family buisness. Died of natural causes.

Spanish Inquisition begins

Sep 27, 1478

Intended to maintain orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and replace the Medieval Inquisition which was under papal control.

Sandro Botticelli paints Birth of Venus

Jan 1, 1486

Depicted the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea a full grown woman. Left in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Columbus discovers the America's

Jan 1, 1492

Was intended to reach Asia, his voyage was financed by the King and Queen of Spain.

Da Vinci paints the Last Supper

Jan 1, 1495

The Last Supper specifically portrays the reaction given by each apostle when Jesus said one of them out betray him.

Raphael paints the School of Athens

Jan 1, 1510

Famous ilalian fresco depicting the famous greek philosohpers.

Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel

Jan 1, 1512

Michealangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to repaint over the gold stars and blue sky.

Machiavelli writes the Prince

Jan 1, 1514

Writes that reforming an existing order is one of the most dangerous things a prince can do.

Thomas More Utopia

Jan 1, 1514

Describes a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean that has the ideal society posessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system.

Martin Luther 95 Theses

Jan 1, 1517

Disputation of Martin Luther on the power and efficacy of indulgences commonly known as the 95 theses

Start of the European Wars of Religion

Jan 1, 1524

Started as a revolt against feudal oppression, strongly influenced by the religious change of the period (reformation).

Henry VIII of England excommunicated

Jan 1, 1533

Henry VIII wanted to get a divorce from his wife Catherine, to marry Anne Boleyn.

Ivan the Terrible is born

Aug 25, 1533

Born on of the most violent czars in Russia.

Jesuit order founded by Ignatius Loyola

Aug 15, 1534

A spanish knight from a basque noble family. Emerged as a religious leader during the counter reformation.

Desiderius Eramus dies

Jan 1, 1536

Classical scholar lived in the reformation period, wanted to reform the chruch from within.

Scientific Revoultion - Copernicus

Jan 1, 1543

Starting point of modern astronomy and the defining epiphany that begun this revolution is science.

Spain declares bankruptcy for the 1st time

Jan 1, 1557

Due to the rise in military costs, from the hundred year war.

Coronation of Queen Elizebeth I

Jan 15, 1559

Father, Henry VIII and mother, Anne Boleyn, called the Virgin Queen. She was coronated at the age of twenty five.

Saint Bartholomew's Massacre

Aug 23, 1572

This plan was to exterminate all protestants in the land, and this act was approved by the Queen.

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

Henry IV of France granted calvinist protestants of france substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially catholic.